The kurta pajama is the most-ordered men's outfit in South Asian tailoring, from a daily cotton kurta to a wedding silk set under a Nehru jacket. Here is every measurement the tailor asks for, a men's kurta size chart from 36 to 46, how the pajama or churidar is measured, and what changes for a sherwani.
No measuring tape? Prop your phone, turn around twice, and the Silai scanner takes every measurement on this page in about two minutes, free, for men and women. Try the scanner
Use a soft tape over thin clothing. Give body measurements only; the tailor adds ease for the style you choose.
| Size | Body chest | Shoulder | Sleeve | Kurta length | Pajama waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 91 cm (36 in) | 43 cm (17 in) | 61 cm (24 in) | 100 cm (39 in) | 76 to 81 cm (30 to 32 in) |
| 38 | 97 cm (38 in) | 44 cm (17.3 in) | 62 cm (24.4 in) | 102 cm (40 in) | 81 to 86 cm (32 to 34 in) |
| 40 | 102 cm (40 in) | 45 cm (17.7 in) | 63 cm (24.8 in) | 104 cm (41 in) | 86 to 91 cm (34 to 36 in) |
| 42 | 107 cm (42 in) | 46.5 cm (18.3 in) | 64 cm (25.2 in) | 106 cm (41.7 in) | 91 to 97 cm (36 to 38 in) |
| 44 | 112 cm (44 in) | 48 cm (18.9 in) | 65 cm (25.6 in) | 108 cm (42.5 in) | 97 to 102 cm (38 to 40 in) |
| 46 | 117 cm (46 in) | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) | 66 cm (26 in) | 110 cm (43.3 in) | 102 to 107 cm (40 to 42 in) |
Garment sizes as sold ready-made. The label number is the body chest in inches; the finished kurta carries 10 to 12 cm of ease over it. Lengths are for a man of average height for the size and are the first thing a tailor will adjust to yours.
| Height | Knee-length kurta | Short kurta |
|---|---|---|
| 160 to 165 cm (5 ft 3 to 5 ft 5) | 92 to 96 cm (36 to 38 in) | 76 to 80 cm (30 to 31.5 in) |
| 165 to 170 cm (5 ft 5 to 5 ft 7) | 96 to 100 cm (38 to 39.5 in) | 80 to 84 cm (31.5 to 33 in) |
| 170 to 175 cm (5 ft 7 to 5 ft 9) | 100 to 104 cm (39.5 to 41 in) | 84 to 88 cm (33 to 34.6 in) |
| 175 to 180 cm (5 ft 9 to 5 ft 11) | 104 to 108 cm (41 to 42.5 in) | 88 to 92 cm (34.6 to 36 in) |
| 180 to 185 cm (5 ft 11 to 6 ft 1) | 108 to 112 cm (42.5 to 44 in) | 92 to 96 cm (36 to 38 in) |
| 185 to 190 cm (6 ft 1 to 6 ft 3) | 112 to 116 cm (44 to 45.7 in) | 96 to 100 cm (38 to 39.5 in) |
Classic knee-length kurta, measured from the side of the neck. For a short kurta subtract 15 to 20 cm; for a sherwani add 5 to 15 cm depending on how far below the knee you want it.
| Bottom | Length | Bottom opening (mohri) | Waist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight pajama | ankle bone plus 1 to 2 cm | 32 to 38 cm (12.5 to 15 in) | drawstring, just below natural waist |
| Churidar | ankle bone plus 8 to 15 cm | 22 to 26 cm (8.7 to 10 in), snug | drawstring, natural or low waist |
| Aligarhi pajama | ankle bone | 40 cm and up (16 in and up) | high, fitted band with buttons |
| Salwar or patiala | ankle bone | 45 cm and up (18 in and up) | drawstring, pleats need a wide opening |
| Dhoti pants | ankle bone | 24 to 28 cm (9.5 to 11 in), cuffed | elastic or drawstring |
How each bottom is measured against the same ankle-bone length. Give the tailor the ankle length and the style; the additions are theirs.
A sherwani is measured like a kurta that will be worn over a kurta. Take the chest, shoulder, sleeve and length with the kurta on, or tell the tailor to add layering ease (about 4 to 6 cm at the chest). The length runs 5 to 15 cm below the knee, the collar is a stand collar measured at the neck, and the front is fitted through the chest and waist, so the waist measurement matters more than on a kurta.
A Nehru jacket or bandhgala waistcoat is measured from the same sheet: chest with the kurta on, shoulder, neck for the band collar, and a length to the hip, usually 65 to 72 cm from the side of the neck. It is fitted, so give the waist, and say whether it will be worn open or buttoned.
Order the whole set from one measurement sheet on the same day. Kurta, pajama, sherwani and jacket cut from measurements taken months apart, or in different units, are the commonest reason a wedding outfit needs a last-minute fitting.
Scan yourself with your phone camera on Silai: about 2 minutes, free, no tape and no second person. You get every measurement on this page, and you can see your own sheet right now, no account needed.
Knee length, measured from the side of the neck: about 100 to 108 cm for men between 170 and 180 cm tall. Short kurtas stop 15 to 20 cm above the knee and pair with jeans or straight trousers; sherwanis go 5 to 15 cm below it.
About 10 to 12 cm at the chest for a classic kurta, 6 to 8 cm for a slim one, and the tailor adds it. Send the body chest measurement; a 40 inch chest is a size 40 kurta.
A kurta cut for a 40 inch (102 cm) body chest, with ease added on top. Shoulder, sleeve and length on the label are averages for that chest, and a tailor adjusts them to your own numbers.
Same measurements, taken with the kurta on so the layering ease is included, plus a fitted waist, a neck for the stand collar and a longer length, 5 to 15 cm below the knee.
Chest and waist with the kurta on, shoulder width, neck for the band collar, and length from the side of the neck to the hip, usually 65 to 72 cm. Say whether you will wear it buttoned.
Use the chest measurement behind it, not the shirt. A shirt sleeve is measured from the centre back of the neck and is 18 to 22 cm longer than the kurta sleeve measured from the shoulder point, and shirt shoulders are often dropped.
Yes. The Silai scan reads chest, shoulder width, arm length, waist, hips, thigh and the lengths in about two minutes, for men and women; add the neck with a tape if you want a stand collar.
Saree blouse measurements · Kurta size chart, sizing and measurements · Lehenga measurements · Salwar kameez measurements · Gown and anarkali measurements · What measurements does a tailor need? · Punjabi suit measurements, with the Punjabi and Hindi terms
Measuring the body itself? Body measurement chart: what size am I? · How to measure your bust or chest · How to measure your waist · How to measure your hips · How to measure your inseam and trouser length · How to measure sleeve length and arm length